Cruelty Free International Applauds Congressman Jim Moran for Bill to End Cosmetics Testing on Animals in the United States

WASHINGTON, D.C., March 5, 2014 /PRNewswire/ --

Cruelty Free International, the leading global organization working to end animal testing for cosmetics and consumer products, applauds U.S. Representative Jim Moran (D-VA) for introducing the Humane Cosmetics Act and urges its swift passage. The Humane Cosmetics Act would ban animal testing for cosmetics after a 1 year phase in and follow with a 3 year phase in period for a ban on the sale of any animal tested cosmetics.

This landmark legislation addresses the inherent cruelty of animal testing for cosmetics and seeks to ensure that modern non-animal tests are used to ensure product safety.

The introduction of the bill follows extensive campaigning in the U.S. by Cruelty Free International and precedes a Congressional briefing "Global regulations and advancements in alternatives to animal testing for cosmetics,"  hosted by Cruelty Free International in cooperation with Congressman Moran to be held on Tuesday, March 11, 2014.

Cruelty Free International Chief Executive, Michelle Thew commented, "We are delighted that Congressman Moran has taken a compassionate stand for animals by initiating this Bill.  The European Union has proven it is possible to produce safe and humane cosmetics using non-animal methods - it's time for the U.S. to step up and eliminate cruel and unnecessary cosmetics tests on animals."

"I applaud Congressman Moran for his unwavering support for the protection of animals over the years and now for introducing this ground breaking legislation that aims to end cosmetics testing on animals in the United States once and for all, thus better protecting both animals and humans," said Dr. Theodora Capaldo, President and Executive Director New England Anti-Vivisection Society and Cruelty Free International U.S. Executive Officer, Boston.

For more than 50 years animals have been used in painful tests to assess the safety of certain chemicals used in cosmetics products. More recently, consumers and scientists have become increasingly skeptical about the necessity and validity of animal testing for cosmetics and, with good reason - modern alternatives are increasingly cheaper, faster, and can better predict human reactions.

The EU - which includes the bastions of beauty, Italy and France -  has been phasing out animal testing since 2003, and in 2013, a complete ban on the testing and marketing of animal-tested cosmetics and ingredients went into effect following Cruelty Free International's 20-year long campaign. Other countries are also following the EU's lead and modernizing - Israel and Norway have had bans on animal testing in place for several years and, in 2013, India became the first country in Asia to announce a ban animal testing for cosmetics.  Korea, Brazil and ASEAN are also making strides toward ending cosmetics testing on animals, and in June China will end its requirement for all imported cosmetics to be animal tested

Compassionate Americans can lend their support to the campaign by asking their legislator to co-sponsor the Bill at http://www.crueltyfreeinternational.org/en/around-the-world/usa/take5

Notes:

Website: crueltyfreeinternational.org/en/around-the-world/usa

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CrueltyFreeInternationalUSA

Twitter: https://twitter.com/CrueltyFreeUSA

Cruelty Free International is the only organization working solely to end consumer product testing on animals worldwide. Its scientists, political advisers and national representatives on four continents are in dialogue with governments throughout the world. The organization's global campaign to end animal testing for cosmetics is the largest ever on the issue, which has seen initiatives in over 65 countries.

SOURCE Cruelty Free International